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Unisex names: Laurie

This weekend’s unisex name is Laurie.

According to Behind the Name, it is a:

“Diminutive of Laura or Laurence.”

That makes it unisex, right? Yes, it is.

Even though it is a unisex name, in many parts of the English-speaking world, Laurie is considered feminine. Hell, I even think so too, but I do switch back and forth from time to time.
In the case for England and Wales though, it is considered unisex. Most of the time, it leans to the feminine side but in 2013, it leaned to the masculine side.

How does that compare with the situation in other countries?

E&W

USA

BC

Ontario (’10)

South Australia

Male

32

<4

<4

<4

0

Female

24

56

<4

6

0

Ratio

57.1% M

96.5% F

//

75.0% F

//

While it’s not as popular as it was in the 1960s, it seems as if Laurie is still considered largely feminine outside of England and Wales.

The tables below show how the gender perceptions change over time from the 19th century to the modern era.

Whilst scrolling around and compiling the data for England & Wales, British Columbia and Ontario, I noticed that there were some of the girls were given the name ‘Annie Laurie,’ in reference to the old Scottish song. With regards to Scottish immigration to Canada in the 19th century, it might make sense that the ratio was higher there than in the United States.

Right. I think I should end it here since I now can’t think of anything else to write. So, what do you think? Did anything astound you in some way? Leave your thoughts in the comments section as always.